3RD MAW grows as an integrated all-domain naval power
Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) prepare for the commencement of phase two of Winter Fury-21, a large-scale, joint force exercise that ensures the Marines of 3rd MAW are prepared, equipped, and trained to win any high-end, future fight. Read more....



Hicks confirmed as deputy secretary of defense
The Defense Department’s glass ceiling is cracking: Kathleen H. Hicks was confirmed by the Senate as the 35th deputy secretary of defense Feb. 8. Read more....



Austin orders stand down to address challenge of extremism in the ranks
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has ordered a DOD-wide stand down to discuss the problem of extremism in the ranks, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said Feb. 3 . Read more....



VA San Diego Healthcare System celebrates 49 years of academic partnerships
SAN DIEGO — VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) announced Jan. 29 as part of its 75th anniversary commemoration of academic affiliations that it has trained over 1,600 of health professionals annually in collaboration with national academic affiliations. Read more....



All is well for ship's bell
NAF EL CENTRO — What do a World War I Marine Corps general, World War II Navy ship, Brown University, and a garage sale in Soledad, California have in common? If you guessed a bell, you would be correct. Read more....




First female to command aircraft carrier
The Navy announced that Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt will assume command of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), marking the first time a female commanding officer will lead the crew of one of the Navy’s 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Read more....




Scholarships for Military Children applications open through Feb 17
The Scholarships for Military Children Program for academic year 2021–2022 is accepting applications.
Applications must be submitted online at www.militaryscholar.org by February 17.
For more information click here!


1st Marine Division celebrates 80th Anniversary at Camp Pendleton


U.S. Marines with the 1st Marine Division band march during the Division’s 80th Anniversary Ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 5, 2021. Veterans and active duty Marines and Sailors who served in the division attended the ceremony celebrating the oldest, largest and most decorated division in the Marine Corps. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jailine L. AliceaSantiago.


U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Division, stand at position of attention while "Waltzing Matilda" plays during the Division’s 80th Anniversary Ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 5, 2021. During World War II the division was relieved at Guadalcanal and sent to Australia, where the division band performed concerts and later adopted the song Waltzing Matilda, an Australian icon, as the official song of the 1st Marine Division. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jailine L. AliceaSantiago.



The JLTV, revolutionizing motor transportation in the Marine Corps
OKINAWA, JAPAN – The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is integrated into training on Okinawa, and it is already changing the way the Marines envision motor transportation. The JLTV will cut down thousands of hours of annual maintenance and allow Marines to drive to remote locations with minimal mechanical support, said Staff Sgt. Robert O. Sempell, Shop Chief, Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. Read more....


DoD announces 5G prototype testing at San Diego Navy base
The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)) has selected Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) to be one of five Tranche 1 sites for the Department of Defense’s 5G to Next G Initiative.
The NBSD site will utilize a Naval Base Coronado warehouse operated by Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center San Diego (FLCSD) to prototype a smart warehouse use case enabled by 5G technology and to perform at-scale experimentation using the developed prototypes.
The prototyping’s objectives are to create a proving ground for testing, refining, and validating emerging 5G enabled technologies and to increase the efficiency and fidelity of NAVSUP FLCSD logistic operations.
Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific will lead the technical assessment with NBSD, NAVSUP, and NAVSUP FLCSD, supporting the implementation and execution of the experiments, performing test and evaluation, and ensuring the deployed 5G technology and smart warehouse applications meet Navy and OUSD (R&E) expectations.
The desired outcome is a 5G enabled smart warehouse that improves the efficiency, accuracy, security, and safety of materiel and supply handling, management, storage, and distribution for NAVSUP FLCSD, and a prototype transition plan for NAVSUP.
Industry partners have been selected to design and build the 5G test bed, various network enhancements, and warehouse specific applications.



Marine Corps to build innovative wargaming center
by Matt Gonzales Marine Corps Systems Command
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- The Marine Corps will soon build a state-of-the-art facility to better visualize the threat environment, gain competitive advantages and simulate future operating environments.Read more....







United Through Reading®
Deploying? Service members invited to record stories for family at San Diego USO
United Through Reading® is a program helping ease the stress of separation for military families by having deploying or deployed service members read children’s books aloud via DVD for their family to watch at home. This powerful program is available to all military units. It provides service members a chance to make lasting connections from afar. The DVD recording and the book are mailed to the child and family back home.
Service members who are leaving for training can also take part in this program. Being a parent is not required; service members can send the DVD & book(s) to any special child in their life such as younger sister or brother, niece, nephew or godchild.
On the day of the recording, service members are encouraged to dress in the attire they will be wearing while deployed/training, but this is not required. The room is private, so any special message, or those fun reading voices, will only be heard by the recipient of the DVD recording. USO San Diego has books available, or service members can bring their own. Our volunteers will help set up the camera and then leave the room. The DVD can hold a 30 minute recording.
Please e-mail USO San Diego Staff Member Nichole Duarte at utr@usosandiego.org to make your appointment. This program is offered at both USO San Diego centers.